German Companies to Invest in the U.S.

German Companies to Invest in US AdvanceCT (Connecticut's economic development organization) announced that numerous German companies, including TRUMPF, BioMed X, Roehm, BYK North America and Eppendorf North America, are expanding their operations in Connecticut or launching expansion projects in the US state. TRUMPF Inc., based in Farmington, will add a 55,800 square-meter smart factory to its existing facility and invest an additional USD 40 million as part of the project. This project will mark the seventh expansion TRUMPF has undertaken in Connecticut since beginning operations there in 1969. Lutz Labisch, President and CEO of TRUMPF Inc., stated: "Smart factories are vital to the next generation of manufacturing. Smart factories enable manufacturers to remain efficient, productive and competitive in the market, while these advanced facilities support technology-focused businesses and create the jobs that people want to work in today and in the future." "We hope that with this expansion, TRUMPF Inc. Smart Factory will serve as a model for manufacturers throughout Connecticut and the US by demonstrating what can be achieved in automated and connected precision sheet metal production. Our campus in Farmington will be a state-of-the-art production facility capable of serving thousands of visitors each year and a place our employees can be proud of." BioMed X, a Heidelberg-based biomedical research institute, announced its first location in America in New Haven, focusing on immunology and tissue engineering research. In the initial phase of operations, six researchers will be employed and the location will be near Yale University, one of the most valuable research partners in the life sciences industry. Roehm, a German specialty chemicals manufacturer, announced a 15,000 square-meter Innovation Center located near its existing production facility. Roehm's newly constructed "Center of Excellence" houses the development of molded compound technology for the medical, automotive, lighting and appliance sectors. The company will additionally hire 8 more employees and focus on CYROLITE® and ACRYLITE® molded compound solutions. Eppendorf North America, a subsidiary of Hamburg-based Eppendorf Group, a manufacturer of laboratory equipment and materials, further expanded its already significant presence by opening a 238,000 square-meter state-of-the-art distribution facility in Connecticut. In addition to its facilities in Germany, Eppendorf officials highlight the Enfield operation as one of the company's most critical locations globally, representing approximately 30% of manufacturing efforts and 90% of distribution in North America. Additionally, BYK North America, a chemical and measuring instrument manufacturer and subsidiary of BYK based in Wesel, Germany, committed to expansion at its Wallingford headquarters and contributed to the company's rapid growth last year. Peter Denious, CEO of AdvanceCT, said: "German companies have always shown interest in Connecticut. They particularly find the talent and expertise they need in advanced manufacturing and life sciences." "Connecticut's economy reflects many aspects of the German economy, which is deeply focused on engineering, research and development and innovation. Our costs are significantly lower than our neighbors, and we have the experienced, highly educated and skilled workforce that German companies need." "The expansions by TRUMPF, BioMed X, BYK North America, Eppendorf North America and Roehm are located in Connecticut alongside many other German companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim and Henkel." "With strong research and development infrastructure like Yale and the University of Connecticut, Connecticut is an excellent place for German Mittelstand companies to establish and grow. Through Connecticut, we expect more German pharmaceutical and medical device companies to enter the North American market." Connecticut, the third smallest state in the United States, is home to more than 98 German companies. Source